Greenville: Stimulus funds to help upgrade water fluoridation system

GREENVILLE — The city has been hit with a wave of economic stimulus funds that will finance $1.3 million worth of water system updates.

Officials recently received word that 40 percent of a loan from the Michigan Drinking Water Revolving Fund will be forgiven, saving local taxpayers $520,000. The balance of the project costs, an estimated $780,000, will come from city coffers and are to be repaid at 2.5 percent interest.

… Mike Chesher, who heads the Department of Public Services, will oversee the project.

… Also planned is the addition of a disinfectant system, allowing the city to manufacture calcium hypochlorite on-site, while the existing fluoride feeding system will be upgraded.

… “Much of our existing water system is antiquated,” Chesher said. “With these changes implemented, we’ll be able to deliver water more reliably to customers.”

The project is expected to get under way in early April, with most of the work taking place through the summer into early November.

Chesher said the improved system should be fully functional by the end of the year.